Expansible last



y 952 E. w. STACEY 2,597,197

EXPANSIBLE LAST Filed July 1, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 v A54 42 O E@j 0 66 @j E. W. STACEY EXPANSIBLE LAST May 20, 1952 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed July 1, 1949 stance) Patented May 20, 1952 3 2,597,197 .nxrANsmLn-mas'r Ernest M W. Stacey, Beverly; Mesa, f assi'gn'orf'to United ShoeMachinery CorporzttionQ-Fleming- -ton, -N: J., a? eorporatiom of New Jersey Application JnIy 1, 1949;Se1-ialNo. 102,524

ii olaims. {on 12 1) This invention relates to forms for 'shoemaking and is more especially concerned w'ith theprovision of an expansible last. While-its utility is not limited to any particular" method'ofmaking shoes, the invention "is hereinafter "represented as embodied inailast intended principally for shoe manufactureiby the methodcommonly known as slip lasting. When this. method is employed tacks or other. fasteners need not be driven into a last" and hence a"metallic"l'a'stm'ay advantageously be used, 7 although it will be understood that the invention doesnotpr'eclude the use of'wood as a last material.

Large quantities of ordinary lasts have usually been required-properly to-fit 'and'shape each differently sized and styled shoe upper. Knowing this to be true,'several types of'expansible lasts have previously been devised .in"attempts to accommodate a'range of uppers 'wi'tha'single last form. These former types 'commonlyhave toe-part sections that are "connected by"a' pivot near the toe endand undergoxan angular movement about thepivot insteadof a"wi'dthwise movement of translation. 'Dueto"thispivotal arrangement a disproportionate expansion "in different localities of the 4 last "is obtained and consequently a portionof a shoe-will be unevenly stretched and it may'be unduly strained.

A last in'which the present invennem s-embodied will readily be distinguishable in 'that it comprises relatively 'movableshoeforniing sections maintained in cooperative relation -by-an internal frame unit and interconnected elements of an adjusting mechanismwhich may vary the effective size of'the last*both.*-lengthwise and widthwise. An adequate rangeof adjustability is afforded in the present novelconstr-uction, for example, to enable one eXpansiblelastito cover a spread of five sizes (5 to 9=inclusive, *for'inwith concomitant widthwise 'components. V

In view of the above a -.principal-object of this invention is the provision of an improved last having convenient means .for efieeting size changes therein While maintaining a-pantographically graded insole pattern throughout itslrange of adjustability. Inspecific terms this means 'that the two endwise extremitiesof thelast may undergo widthwise'adjustment Which, in quantity, is proportional to theirlengthwise adjustment.

A novel feature of the inventionconsists-i na mechanism organized to shift altoe-partand-a heel .part toward or from .an intermediate body part and'thereby at the'same time adjust right "and left sections of these parts toward or from each otherwith-widthwisemovements of trans- 'lation. l

*The"above and 'o'ther' features 0f the inventi'on together' with certain novel details of con- "struction wiu'now' be further described with "reference to" an illustrative embodimentdis'closed in the accompanying drawings, in which LFig." 1 is a diagram of the bottom (the insole pandedandthe'relative position of portions of Fig. 2 is aplan view of the deck plate for the Iast'beingdeScribed T-"Fig. 3 is a"view"in elevation of the' last as- *seniblage showing" the operating mechanism arfrangeddna'stanchion'affixed to the deck plate;

- ative' Iast' roimirigrreiaeon.

Fig.4 is an elevation 'illustrating the'expanded toefheel and intermediate body parts along the insidej'of' the last, and a contracting spring;

YFi'gf5' is anelevationbf a portion of the stanchionjwith"ajiietaining'fcover removed to reveal operating mechanism, the attached deck "plate "bfi l shown in section "Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the "slidable "memberdand' their camming surfaces; and

--Fig. "7 is 'anjenlarge'd' sectional viewtaken along the "line vii-m ni Fig.3.

"Th'elastfwh'ether it 'beinten'deid for ashoe a right "or" left foot, comprisesa frame unit including an upright support or stanchion 1 l0 (Fig.3) to the upper end of which a horizontal deck plate !'2 is rigidly afiixe'd, as by screws fl3, IE'CFig. '3) recessed in the 'latte'r. "The plate I2 "is "flat an'd'offlast plan configuration, "while upper en'dwise "surfaces of the stanchion mpartially "definethe profile of the contracted last.

As will be seen, this stationary frame "unit con- -stitutes the "means "by which a composite heel part, a 'com pdslte toe .part and intermediate body sections 'o'f the 'last are maintained in cooper- Ecir Tconvenience those portions of the last 'sea'tedon'top of the deck-plate I2, as viewed in Fig.3, wi1l hereinafterbe referred to as top' 'sectionsja'nd .those portions seated on the bottom oi that plate will be called bottom sections. Also, the word 'i'i ghtf will designate elements seen towards the right hand side 'of the stanchion -when looking toward;the toe from "the'heeLand left will designate those elements seen on the left side of the stanchion as observed when looking toward the toe from the heel. Stated differently, the inside of the last consists of right sections and the outside of the last consists of left sections.

The toe part, heel part and intermediate body of the last each comprises a right top section, a left top section, a right bottom section and a left bottom section. These sections are respectively designated I4, I6, I8 and in the toe part, 22, 24, 26 and 28 in the intermediate body, and 30, 32, 34 and 36 in the heel part. Corresponding to and bottom sections of the last are each bored and threaded to receive two coupling pins or screws 38 spaced to extend through slots in the deck plate I2. To facilitate sliding movement of the several screws 38 as well as to enable compound movements of the coupled sections relatively to the plate I2, each screw is provided with a tubular roller 40 (Fig. 4) bearing on the sides of the deck plate slots. It will be noted that, for a purpose subsequently to be explained, deck plate forward slots designated 42, 44, 46 and 48 (Fig. 2) are longitudinally disposed, diverging from a central focal region of the deck plate I2, while rearward slots 50, 52, 54 and 56 in the heel portion of the plate extend longitudinally and diverge from the same focal region.

The upper face of the deck plate is provided with a cavity 58 (Fig. 2) that encircles the slots 48, 48, 54 and 56 and is substantially bisected by a longitudinally extending kerf 60. Slots 62, 64, 66 and 68 extending widthwise of the last are arranged in the cavity 58 of the plate I2 respectively to receive and guide those coupling pins 38 extending between the body parts 22 and 26 and 24 and. 28.

A member I0 (Figs. 6 and 7) is slidably disposed in the cavity 58 and constitutes one element of the adjusting means provided for shifting the toe parts collectively toward and from the heel parts. Another member I2 is also slidably movable in the cavity 58 and constitutes an element of the adjusting means provided for shifting the heel parts collectively toward and from the toe parts. Widthwise cam slots I4 and I6 of the member I0 receive the coupling screws 38 and cooperate respectively with the slots 46 and 48 to adjust right and left toe section widthwise toward or from one another. Similarly, each of the widthwise cam slots I8 and 80 of the member I2 receives a coupling screw 88 and cooperates with one of the slots 54 and 56 to adjust right and left heel sections widthwise toward or from one another. Lengthwise cam slots 82, 84, 86 and 88 of the member I0 are respectively arranged to cooperate with the widthwise deck plate slots 62, 64, 66 and 68 and their respective screws 38 to adjust right sections of the body toward and from left sections thereof, and the left sections of that part toward and from the right sections thereof.

The slidable members I0 and I2 respectively have toothed rack portions 90, 92 fitting in the kerf 60. These racks, a portion of the mechanism for simultaneously shifting the toe part and heel part toward or from the aforementioned focal region of the plate I2, are respectively in mesh with a pair of spur gears 94, 96 nested within the stanchion I0. Each of these gears is also in mesh with rack teeth of a plunger 98 that is movable heightwise in a bearing provided in the stanchion. A retainer plate 99 (Figs. 3 and 7) anchored to the stanchion I0 covers the gears and plunger on one side and has a downwardly extending projection formed with a vertical slot The means by which the plunger 98 is moved to operate the last comprises a pin I00 afiixed to said plunger and projecting through the slot I02, and a rearwardly extending bell crank lever I04 pivotally mounted on the stanchion. One arm of the lever I04 is notched to accommodate the pin I00 and the other pivotally supports, for reasons hereinafter explained, a pawl I06 for engagement with ratchet teeth I00 arranged on the stanchion, said engagement being urged by a compression spring IIO seated in a bore of the lever I04.

Inner faces of the right bottom sections in the heel and intermediate body parts 34 and 26 (Fig. 4) are each provided with a slot to receive a portion of a tension spring II2 (Fig. 4) extending lengthwise of the last. Similar slots in the left bottom sections of the heel and body parts 36 and 28 accommodate a tension spring II4 (Fig. 7). Both springs II2 and H4 are firmly anchored in their respective slots by cross pins II6 affixed in said last parts. These springs act in unison to exert a force tending to return the expanded last to its contracted or smallest size.

Operation and use of the last will be apparent from the above description. To expand the last when a shoe upper has been placed thereon an operator may manually turn the single control lever I04 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3. It will be understood that if more convenient, he may employ a treadle or suitable power means for actuating the operating mechanism. As a consequence, the plunger 98. will be raised and the spur gears 94, 96 oppositely rotated simultaneously to separate the members I0, I2. The member I0 will be driven by means of its rack toward the toe to shift the toe sections I4, I6, I8 and 20 lengthwise, and the member I2 will be driven by means of its rack 92 toward the heel to shift the heel sections lengthwise. The. compound movement of translation given the coupled top and bottom toe sections I6 and 20, for example, is effected by each of the screws 38 in the deck plate slots 48 and 64 said screws 38 being shifted by the forward sliding of the slots I6 and 84, respectively. The screw 38 in the deck plate slot 44, though not directly acted on by the member I0, cooperates with the screw 38 in th slot 48 to assure a, lengthwise enlargement that is proportional to the width enlargement. In a similar way the expansion movement of top and bottom heel sections 30 and 34, for example, will be effected by a screw 38 in the slot 54, that screw being urged rearwardly by the movement of the cam slot I8 of the member I2. i

It will be noted that the intermediate body parts 22, 24, 26 and 28 are prevented from moving lengthwise by the deck plate slots 62, 64, 66 and 68. The outside body parts 24, 28 are, however, movable widthwise more than the inside body parts 22, 26. This arrangement aids in maintaining a pantographically graded insole pattern throughout the size range. v

The lever I04 having been swung to the extent required properly to expand the shoe on the last, the pawl I06 will engage the ratchet I08 and prevent the last from contracting during shoemaking operations. When it is desired to contract the last, however, the pawl I06 may be manually disengaged from the ratchet I08 and the springs I I2, I I4 (Fig. 7) will act to retract the slide members I0 and I2 and thereby cause the toe and. heel sections again to abut the --intermediate body parts.

The angularity of the cooperating slots in the deck plate l2 and in the slidable members TD-and I2 is appropriate to control-widthwise expansion for one stated width of last. If shoes of a greater width (but in the-same general style-and size several styles, to be operated upon satisfactorily.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A last comprising a heel part, toe sections separable widthwise, intermediate body sections also separable widthwise, a'frame unitby which i said heel part and said sections are maintained in -cooperative relation; anadjusting member anchored to said frame'unit'andmeans operable by said member forshifting said toe sections totoe sections having connections by which' the latter are also adjusted width-wise toward-'and-from each other in consequence of being shifted as aforesaid.

2. A last comprising heel sections separable widthwise, toe sections separable widthwise, intermediate body sections separable widthwise, a frame unit by which said sections are maintained in cooperative relation, an adjusting member anchored to said frame unit, means operable by said member for shifting said heel sections and said toe sections lengthwise toward and from said body sections and for simultaneously adjusting the latter widthwise toward and from each other, said heel sections and said toe sections having connections with said frame unit by which they are adjusted widthwise in consequence and of being shifted toward or from said body sections.

3. A last comprising a heel part, a toe part and an intermediate body part each including a right top section, a left top section, a right bottom section and a left bottom section, a deck-plate, all the top sections aforesaid being seated on the top face of said plate and all the bottom sections being seated on the bottom face thereof, and means arranged to vary the overall length of the last by shifting the toe part and the heel part toward and from the body part and thereby vary the overall width of the latter by adjusting the right and left sections thereof widthwise toward and from one another.

4. A last comprising a heel part, a toe part and an intermediate body part each including a right top section, a left top section, a right bottom section and a left bottom section, a deck-plate, all the top sections aforesaid being seated on the top face of said plate and all the bottom sections being seated on the bottom face thereof, and adjusting means arranged to vary the overall length of the last by shifting the toe part and the heel part toward and from the body part and thereby vary the overall width of the latter by adjusting the right and left sections thereof widthwise toward and from one another, said plate and said adjusting means having interengaged elements arranged to adjust the sections of the heel part and those o'f "the toe part widthwise i in censequence of "shifting them lengthwise.

5.. A last comprising atoe-'part, a;heel part-and an intermediate body part each including a' right topsection, a right'bottom-section, a--left top's'ection and a -left bottom section; a -deck-plate, said top sections being seated on the top face of said plate and said-bottom:- sections 'being seated on the bottom face thereof,' means arranged to-sh-ift all the-sections of the toe part collectively along the plate and all the sectionsof the heel part collectively along the plate -towar'd and them the body part, said means including means arranged "to adjust the right sections of i-fthe body part widthwise 'toward and from I the alleft sections thereof andl'the left sections of that part' widthwise toward and from the rightsections thereof, and means arranged to -adjustthe right sections wise toward and from the'corresponding left sections and the latter toward andfrom'the corresponding' right sections as the toe part and the heel part move toward andfrom the body part.

- 6. A last comprising'a deck-plate having a'cavity in one facepa slidable member seatedin said cavity, a toe part'and'a heel part each movable on said plate,"an intermediate body part inclu'ding counterpartal right and left sections movable on saidplate, means arranged-to prevent lengthwise movement and permit widthwise movement of said sections with respect to the plate, and adjusting means arranged to shift the toe part and the heel part toward and from each other, said slidable member being an element of said adjusting means and having camming surfaces arranged to adjust said sections of the body part toward or from one another as the toe part and heel part are shifted as aforesaid.

7. A last comprising a deck-plate, a toe part and a body part each including counterpartal right and left sections seated on said plate, means arranged to constrain said sections of the body part against moving lengthwise but to permit widthwise movement thereof with respect to the plate, and adjusting means arranged to shift the toe part lengthwise toward and from the body part and thereby adjust the sections of the body part widthwise toward and from one another, the deck-plate having oppositely inclined surfaces by which the sections of the toe part are adjusted bodily widthwise toward or from one another as they move toward or from the body part.

8. A last comprising a deck-plate, a toe part and a heel part seated on said plate and movable therealong toward and from each other, an intermediate body part including right and left sections seated on said plate and separable widthwise, two slidable members embedded in said plate and connected respectively to the toe part and the heel part, and means for adjusting said slidable members oppositely to shift the toe part and the heel part lengthwise toward or from each other, one of said slidable members having camming means for adjusting said right and left sections widthwise toward or from each other.

9. A last comprising a stanchion, a deck-plate rigidly related thereto, a heel part, means movably connecting the heel part and said deck-plate, a toe part, means movably connecting the toe part and the deck-plate, right and left body sections seated against one face of the deck-plate between the heel part and the toe part, right and left body sections seated against the opposite face of the deck-plate between the heel part and the toe part, an adjusting member anchored to the 7 stanchion, and means operable by said adjusting member for shifting-the heel part and the toe part lengthwise toward or from said body sections, said means and said body sections having connections by which both right sections and both left sections are adjusted widthwise.

10. A last comprising a toe part, a heel part and a body part each including a right bottom section, a left bottom section, a right top section and a left top section, a deck-plate, each of said bottom sections being seated on the bottom face of said plate and each of said top sections being seated on the top face thereof, each of said top sections being connected with the corresponding bottom section by a plurality of coupling pins and the deck-plate having slots through which said pins extend, the slots for the body part extending widthwise but those for the toe part and the heel part extending nearly lengthwise, a stanchion afiixed to the deck-plate and extending lengthwise thereof between the right bottom sections and the left bottom sections of the heel part and the body part, an adjusting member anchored to r the stanchion, and means operable by said adjusting member for shifting the toe part and the heel part toward or from each other and thereby adjusting the sections of the body part widthwise.

11. A last comprising a toe part, a heel part ERNEST W. STACEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 148,998 Tayman Mar. 24, 1874 657,814 Crozier Sept. 11, 1900 1,130,801 Cridland Mar. 9, 1915 1,273,324 Brock July 23, 1918 1,402,208 Brock Jan. 3, 1922 2,443,792 Kingv June 22, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 420,062 France Nov. 12, 1910 426,269 France Apr. 28, 1911 

